EP0510347B1 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Image forming apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0510347B1
EP0510347B1 EP92104415A EP92104415A EP0510347B1 EP 0510347 B1 EP0510347 B1 EP 0510347B1 EP 92104415 A EP92104415 A EP 92104415A EP 92104415 A EP92104415 A EP 92104415A EP 0510347 B1 EP0510347 B1 EP 0510347B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
image forming
image
copying
forming apparatus
counter
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP92104415A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0510347A2 (en
EP0510347A3 (en
Inventor
Hiroshi c/o Int.Prop.Div.K.K. Toshiba Watanabe
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Toshiba Corp
Toshiba Intelligent Technology Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Toshiba Corp
Toshiba Intelligent Technology Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Toshiba Corp, Toshiba Intelligent Technology Co Ltd filed Critical Toshiba Corp
Publication of EP0510347A2 publication Critical patent/EP0510347A2/en
Publication of EP0510347A3 publication Critical patent/EP0510347A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0510347B1 publication Critical patent/EP0510347B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G03PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03GELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/50Machine control of apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern, e.g. regulating differents parts of the machine, multimode copiers, microprocessor control
    • G03G15/5066Machine control of apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern, e.g. regulating differents parts of the machine, multimode copiers, microprocessor control by using information from an external support, e.g. magnetic card
    • GPHYSICS
    • G03PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03GELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/02Counting the number of copies; Billing
    • GPHYSICS
    • G03PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03GELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/00025Machine control, e.g. regulating different parts of the machine
    • G03G2215/00088Machine control, e.g. regulating different parts of the machine by using information from an external support
    • G03G2215/00097Machine control, e.g. regulating different parts of the machine by using information from an external support the support being a counter

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more specifically, to an electrostatic copying machine in which image information on a document is focused on an image bearing member to form an electrostatic latent image thereon, and a copy image is obtained by developing the latent image.
  • a copying machine includes an image reading section, an image forming section, and a paper feeding section.
  • the image reading section includes a document table used to carry the document to be read thereon, an illumination unit for illuminating the document, and an optical system for transmitting the reflected light from the document.
  • an image on a document is illuminated, and a reflected light from the document is transmitted to an image bearing member.
  • the image forming section includes a photoconductor, i.e., the image bearing member, on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by means of the light from the image reading section, and which serves to reproduce the image of the document.
  • the image forming section further includes a charging unit, developing device, transfer unit, fixing unit, cleaning unit, etc, as well as the photoconductor.
  • the photoconductor which is arranged for rotation, produces the electrostatic latent image corresponding to the light transmitted by means of the reading section.
  • the charging unit is used to charge the photoconductor with electricity.
  • the developing device develops the latent image on the photoconductor into a visible image.
  • the transfer unit transfers the developed image to the copying material, and the fixing unit fixes the transferred image on the copying material.
  • the cleaning unit is used to restore the photoconductor to its initial state.
  • the paper feeding section includes a plurality of paper cassettes for supplying the paper sheets, a paper feeder for feeding the paper sheets in the cassettes into the image forming section, and a discharge section for discharging each paper sheet having the copy image thereon.
  • the paper feeding section is used to supply a copying material, e.g., sheet like plain paper, to the image forming section, transfer the image obtained in the image forming section to the plain paper, and discharge the resulting copy.
  • a copying material e.g., sheet like plain paper
  • a predetermined electric charge is applied to the photoconductor by means of the charging unit.
  • Image information on the document that is, the reflected light from the document, is transmitted through optical members, such as a plurality of return mirrors, a focusing lens, etc., to be focused on the surface of the photoconductor.
  • This reflected light produces a charge distribution pattern or electrostatic latent image, which corresponds to the document image, on the photoconductor.
  • the latent image is supplied with a developing agent, such as a toner, to be developed by means of the developing device, that is, it is copied as the image on the document.
  • This toner image is transferred to the piece of the paper sheet fed from the paper feeder, the toner is fixed by means of the fixing unit, and the paper is discharged from the copying machine.
  • the copying machine of this type uses a conventional method for allowing only a specific user or users to make copies.
  • One example of this method is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application KOKOKU Publication No. 61-34529.
  • copying is allowed by attaching an external device, such as a key counter, to the machine.
  • This method is used in the case where many divisions have one copying machine for common use, so that the number of copies may have to be checked for each division, or that each division may be expected to bear the cost of copying depending on the number of copies made thereby.
  • copying operation is inhibited by removing it. In this case, however, the copying operation can be only inhibited, and copying conditions used last are maintained as they are. This implies that another user may be forced to use undesired copying conditions. If a copy starting signal is inputted without ascertaining that copying conditions to be newly used are different from the last-used ones, moreover, expendables such as the copying paper and toner will be wasted, thus entailing an increase in the cost of copying.
  • the object of this invention is to provide a copying machine capable of securely preventing undesired copying and improving a operating efficiency of the copying machine.
  • an image forming apparatus comprising means for forming an image on an image bearing member, means for changing an image forming condition of the image forming means by selecting one condition among a reference condition and different conditions, means for controlling the image forming means on the basis of the conditions changed by the changing means, means being detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus and arranged to count the number of image forming cycles executed at said image forming conditions when it is mounted; means for checking whether the counting means is mounted and for causing the controlling means to input an instruction for interrupting image forming operation when it is detected that the counting means is not mounted, and means for causing the controlling means to change the present image forming condition, having been changed by means of the changing means, to the reference condition, when the counting means is being detached from the image forming apparatus.
  • the image forming apparatus of this invention is provided with the counter means or key counter and an all-clear function associated therewith.
  • the apparatus is allowed to perform copying operation only when it is loaded with the key counter.
  • the key counter is removed, all copying conditions entered in the apparatus by a user are restored to the state before the start of the copying operation. Even though copying conditions to be newly used are different from the ones used last, therefore, the last-used conditions cease to be maintained before a new copying cycle is started.
  • waste of expendables such as copying paper and toner, can be prevented, so that the cost of copying can be reduced.
  • a copying machine image forming apparatus 2 which includes a document table 10 formed of a glass plate and carrying documents (copying objects) D thereon, an upper cover 10b surrounding the table 10, and an auto document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 12.
  • the ADF 12 which is formed so as to be openable, feeds the documents D one after another to the table 10 so that each document D is closely in contact with the table.
  • These elements 10, 10b and 12 are arranged at the top portion of the machine 2.
  • the cover 10b is provided with a control panel 18 (not shown in the sectional view of Fig. 1; see Fig. 3), through which a user inputs information for operating the copying machine 2, copy starting signal, etc.
  • the control panel 18 includes a plurality of keys, e.g., a print key 18a, numeral keys 18b, a clear key 18c, an all-clear key 18d, etc.
  • a print key 18a When the user turns on the print key 18a, a print starting signal is outputted.
  • the numeral keys 18b are used to deliver numeral signals corresponding to numerics "0" to "9,” which are indicative of the number of copies, copying-magnification data, etc.
  • the clear key 18c outputs a signal to interrupt copying operation or restore data in the middle of entry to "0."
  • the all-clear key 18d is used to stop all the copying operation and cancel a currently set copy mode, thereby restoring the machine 2 to its initial state.
  • the control panel 18 has a liquid crystal display (message display section, hereinafter referred to as LCD) 18e, a monitor LED 18f, etc., assembled integrally with one another.
  • LCD liquid crystal display
  • the LCD 18e displays the input data, such as the number of copies, the copying-magnification, etc., each step of procedure for the operation of the copying machine 2, exhaustion of paper sheets (copying material, mentioned later), timing for the resupply of a toner (mentioned later), error messages indicative of wrong ways of operating the machine 2, or the like.
  • the monitor LED 18f is used to indicate operating conditions of the copying machine 2, e.g., ones related to paper cassettes (mentioned later).
  • These conditions include, for example, the position of the cassette selected for the copying operation, occurrence and location of a paper jam in the machine 2, connection or disconnection of a counter connector 90 (in which is inserted a key connector 92 (mentioned later) used to allow only a specific user or users to make copies, or the like.
  • the counter connector 90 is provided on or around the cover 10b.
  • first and second carriages 20 and 30 Arranged inside the document table 10 (under the table as in Fig. 1) are first and second carriages 20 and 30, which optically transmit an image on the document D on the table 10 to a photoconductor 40 (mentioned later).
  • the first carriage 20 includes a lamp 22 for illuminating the document D, a reflector 24, and a primary mirror 26, assembled integrally with one another.
  • the reflector 24 is used to converge illuminating lights emitted from the lamp 22 onto the document D.
  • the mirror 26 is used to direct reflected light from the document D to the second carriage 30, which is arranged next to the first carriage 20.
  • the second carriage 30 includes secondary and tertiary mirrors 32 and 34, which are integrally assembled so as to extend at right angles to each other. The mirrors 32 and 34 reflect the reflected light from the document D, directed thereto by the primary mirror 26, on the photoconductor 40.
  • the first and second carriages 20 and 30, which are movable substantially parallel to the table 10, are moved at a desired speed (which depends on the copying-magnification) along the table 10 by means of power transmission members, such as toothed belts (not shown), and a drive source, such as a pulse motor (not shown).
  • a desired speed which depends on the copying-magnification
  • the second carriage 30 is driven following the first carriage 20, and moves at half the speed of the carriage 20.
  • a focusing lens 36 and a fourth mirror 38 are arranged under the first carriage 20 and within a plan containing the optical axis of the reflected light from the tertiary mirror 34 (second carriage 30).
  • the focusing lens 36 which can be moved by means of a drive mechanism (not shown), gives convergency to the reflected light. As it moves, the lens 36 gives a desired magnification to the reflected light.
  • the fourth mirror 38 which can be moved along the optical axis by means of a drive mechanism (not shown), can return the reflected light from the lens 36 to a desired position on the photoconductor 40, and correct variation of the focal length which accompanies the movement of the lens 36.
  • the photoconductor 40 is located for rotation under the focusing lens 36 or near the center of the copying machine 2. As the reflected light is focused on the photoconductor 40, an electrostatic latent image (distribution pattern of electric charge) is formed thereon.
  • a charging unit 42 and a developing device 44 are arranged around the photoconductor 40.
  • the charging unit 42 is situated on the upper-course side of that position to which the reflected light is guided, with respect to the rotating direction.
  • the unit 42 charges the photoconductor 40 to a desired level, in order to enable the latent image to be formed on the photoconductor 40 as the reflected light is applied thereto.
  • the developing device 44 is situated on the lower-course side of that position to which the reflected light is guided, with respect to the rotating direction.
  • the device 44 supplies the electrostatic latent image with the toner to develop the latent image, thereby forming a toner image (substantially identical with the image on the document D) on the photoconductor 40.
  • a transfer unit 46, AC unit 46a, cleaning unit 48, etc. are successively arranged around the photoconductor 40.
  • the transfer unit 46 serves to transfer the toner image to each paper sheet fed from the paper cassette (mentioned later).
  • the AC unit 46a which is integrally incorporated in the transfer unit 46, is used to separate the sheet, electrostatically attracted to the photoconductor 40, from the photoconductor.
  • the cleaning unit 48 scrapes off the toner which remains on the photoconductor 40 without having been transferred to the paper sheet, and electrically neutralises the distribution of electric charge on the photoconductor 40, thereby initialising the charging property of the photoconductor.
  • Paper cassettes (hereinafter referred to as body cassettes) 14a and 14b are inserted in the right-hand portion of the copying machine 2, so as to be located corresponding to that portion of the photoconductor 40 which is situated between the developing device 44 and the transfer unit 46.
  • the body cassettes 14a and 14b are used to feed paper sheets P, to which the toner image on the photoconductor 40 is to be transferred, to the region between the photoconductor 40 and the transfer unit 46.
  • the cassettes 14a and 14b can be attached to and detached from slots 50a and 50b which are formed in the machine 2. These cassettes are utilized for supplying paper sheets in Folio (11 ⁇ 17 inches) or other sizes which, although suited for the production of a relatively small number of copies, are frequently used for copying.
  • the slot 50b is fitted with a large-capacity cassette (hereinafter referred to as LCC) 14c in place of the cassette 14b.
  • LCC 14c has a capacity several times as large as the body cassettes 14a and 14b.
  • a paper feed pedestal (hereinafter referred to as PFP) 60 is disposed under the copying machine 2.
  • the PFP 60 which is formed independently of the main body of the machine, serves both as a base bearing the machine 2 thereon and as a holder containing a plurality of types of paper cassettes therein.
  • the PFP 60 which contains inner cassettes 62a, 62b and 62c, includes frictional rollers 64a, 64b and 64c and a series of paper paths 66a, 66b and 66c.
  • the rollers 64a, 64b and 64c are used to pick up the paper sheets one after another from the cassettes 62a, 62b and 62c, respectively.
  • the paths 66a, 66b and 66c which are formed of a pair of guide plates each, serve to guide the paper sheets, picked up by means of the rollers 64a, 64b and 64c, to that portion of the photoconductor 40 of the copying machine 2 which is situated between the developing device 44 and the transfer unit 46.
  • the paths 66a, 66b and 66c are arranged corresponding to the inner cassettes 62a, 62b and 62c, respectively. They guide the paper sheets delivered from the individual cassettes to the photoconductor 40 so that even the sheets from the lower-stage cassettes can be used in common.
  • the paper sheet from the inner cassette 62c for example, is passed through the paths 66c, 66b and 66a in the order named, to be directed to the photoconductor 40.
  • the paper paths 66a, 66b and 66c can be exposed by removing the LCC 14c from the slot 50b.
  • One of the paired guide plates is movable so that a paper jam can be easily removed.
  • First and second feed rollers 51a and 51b, first and second transfer rollers 52a and 52b, paper guides 53a and 53b, a connecting paper guide 53c, and a pair of timing rollers 54 are arranged between the photoconductor 40 and the body cassettes 14a and 14b (LCC 14c), inside the copying machine 2.
  • the feed rollers 51a and 51b are used to pick up the paper sheets one after another from the body cassettes 14a and 14b (LCC 14c).
  • the transfer rollers 52a and 52b are used to feed the sheets picked up by means of the rollers 51a and 51b to the photoconductor 40.
  • the paper guides 53a and 53b are used to feed the sheets transported by means of the rollers 52a and 52b to the photoconductor 40.
  • the connecting paper guide 53c allows the paper sheets supplied from the PFP 60 to be fed to the photoconductor 40.
  • the timing rollers 54 serve to correct a skew of the piece of the paper sheets delivered thereto, and align the starting point of the reflected light projected on the photoconductor 40 with the leading head of the sheet.
  • a fixing unit 58, a paper moving mechanism 56, exit rollers 16, and a tray 16a are arranged in positions on the lower-course side of the transfer unit 46 beside the photoconductor 40 of the copying machine 2 (on the left-hand side of the machine 2 as in Fig. 1; each paper sheet is generally supplied through one end of the machine 2 and discharged through the other or opposite end).
  • the fixing unit 58 fixes the transferred toner image (toner) on the paper sheet.
  • the paper moving mechanism 56 which is situated between the fixing unit 58 and the transfer unit 46, moves the paper sheet, having the toner image thereon, toward the fixing unit 58.
  • the exit rollers 16 serve to discharge the copied paper sheet, having the toner fixed thereon by means of the fixing unit 58, to the outside of the machine 2.
  • the tray 16a receives and stores the copied sheet discharged by means of the rollers 16.
  • the fixing unit 58 includes a heat roller 58a and a pressure roller 58c.
  • the roller 58a has a heater lamp 58b therein for generating heat used to melt the toner.
  • the roller 58c is pressed against the roller 58a to apply pressure thereto. As the toner on the paper sheet, having the toner image thereon, is heated under pressure, it is fixed on the sheet.
  • the copying machine 2 includes the counter connector 90 in which is inserted the key counter 92 used to allow only a specific user or users to make copies.
  • the connector 90 is connected to a counter discrimination circuit 94 with an L-shaped output as the counter 92 is inserted into the connector.
  • pins A and B and pins C and D of the discrimination circuit 94 are connected to one another by means of the counter 92.
  • the pins A and B which are terminals for actuating the counter 92, cause the counter 92 to count "1" (add 1 to the value displayed on the counter) in response to an output signal from a copy number counter circuit (not shown), at the end of every copying cycle.
  • a signal "H" for detecting the presence of the counter 92 is supplied between the pins C and D.
  • the discrimination circuit 94 gives an instruction to the CPU 96 to inhibit the copying operation. Even when the print key 18a is turned on, in this case, the copying operation is inhibited. Also, a signal equivalent to an output signal from the all-clear key 18d of the control panel 18 is outputted, so that the copying machine 2 is restored to its initial state in which it is kept ready for copying with the power on. More specifically, the machine 2 is reset so that the copy scale factor is 100%, the copy number is 1, the copy density adjustment level is AE (auto expose mode), and the paper cassette for paper supply is the body cassette 14a, for example.
  • a copy inhibiting message e.g., "INSERT KEY COUNTER” is displayed on the LCD 18e.
  • the heater lamp 58b is lit up to heat the fixing unit 58 to a desired temperature.
  • the pulse motor (not shown) is energized to move the first and second carriages 20 and 30 to their respective home positions or copy starting positions.
  • a drive motor (not shown) is energized to rotate the photoconductor 40 and the developing device 44 at desired speeds.
  • a desired electric charge is supplied from the charging unit 42 to the photoconductor 40, so that the charging property of the photoconductor 40 is stabilized, that is, the photoconductor 40 is warmed up. It is to be understood that all the operation is controlled by means of the CPU 96.
  • the copy inhibiting message such as "INSERT KEY COUNTER”
  • the copy wait message such as "READY FOR COPYING" or "SET DOCUMENT”
  • One of the documents D drawn out and fed to the document table 10 is brought closely into contact with the table 10 by means of the ADF 12.
  • the copy starting signal is inputted by means of the print key 18a after the copying conditions, such as the copying-magnification data, paper size, etc., are selected by operating the control panel 18, a linear region of the document D is illuminated by means of the lamp 22 and the reflector 24.
  • the reflected light from the document D passes through a slit region (elongated light transmitting region extending at right angles to the carriage moving direction), defined by means of the reflector 24, to be guided to the primary mirror 26, and is then reflected on the secondary mirror 32 of the second carriage 30.
  • a slit region elongated light transmitting region extending at right angles to the carriage moving direction
  • the reflected light guided to the secondary mirror 32 is bent toward the tertiary mirror 34, and is reflected again by the mirror 34 to be directed to the focusing lens 36 in a position for a desired magnification. Then, the reflected light is converted into a convergent light by means of the lens 36, and is focused on the predetermined position on the photoconductor 40, previously charged to the predetermined level, by means of the fourth mirror 38.
  • the reflected light landed on the surface of the photoconductor 40 is converted into an electrostatic latent image.
  • the first and second carriages 20 and 30 are moved at a predetermined speed in the sub-scanning direction (perpendicular to the main scanning direction or to the linear region which is defined as the reflected light passes through the slit region) by means of the pulse motor (not shown), which is driven at a fixed speed. Accordingly, image information, in the form of elongated strips of reflected light, is delivered in succession to the photoconductor 40, and converted into the electrostatic latent image.
  • the moving speed of the first carriage 20 with respect to the sub-direction, as well as that of the driven second carriage 30, must be changed depending on the magnification, so that the rotating speed of the pulse motor is continuously changed.
  • the latent image on the photoconductor 40 is guided to a developing region in which the developing device 44 is located.
  • the toner is selectively supplied from the developing device 44 to the latent image, whereby the latent image is converted into a toner image.
  • one cassette which contains paper sheets of an optimum size is selected among the cassettes 14a and 14b (LCC 14c) and the inner cassettes 62a, 62b and 62c of the PFP 60, depending on the detected document size and the copying-magnification.
  • the drive motor (not shown) is energized, so that one of the paper sheets is drawn out by means of the feed rollers provided individually for the cassettes (LCC or PFP). This drawn-out paper sheet is fed through the transfer rollers, paper paths, and timing rollers 54 to a transfer region between the photoconductor 40 and the transfer unit 46.
  • the paper sheet drawn out in this manner is temporarily stopped by means of the timing rollers 54, and is fed to the photoconductor 40 in a manner such that the start of movement of the first or second carriage 20 or 30 with respect to the sub-scanning direction is used as a reference, that is, the leading end of the toner image formed on the photo-conductor 40 and the leading end of the paper sheet are in alignment with each other.
  • the paper sheet aligned with the toner image (movement of the photoconductor 40) by means of the timing rollers 54 is attracted by electric charge remaining on the photoconductor 40, and is bonded to the photoconductor 40.
  • an electric charge of the same polarity as the one previously supplied from the transfer unit 46 to the photoconductor 40 for latent image formation is supplied to the photoconductor 40 and the paper sheet.
  • the toner image is transferred from the photoconductor 40 to the sheet.
  • the paper sheet having the toner image thereon, is disengaged from the photoconductor 40 by means of an AC voltage which is applied to the photoconductor 40 by means of the AC unit 46a and serves to neutralize the applied electric charge. Then, the paper sheet is transported to the position between the heat roller 58a and the pressure roller 58c of the fixing unit 58 by means of the paper moving mechanism 56, and is heated under pressure. As a result, the toner image is fixed on the paper sheet.
  • the paper sheet having the copy image of the document D thereon, is discharged onto the the tray 16a with its copy surface upward.
  • the photoconductor 40 continues to be rotated, and is cleaned by means of the cleaning unit 48.
  • the toner remaining on the photoconductor 40 without having been transferred to the paper sheet is removed, and the charge distribution pattern on the surface is restored to its initial state to be ready for the next copying cycle.
  • This copying process and change of the documents D are repeated corresponding to the copy number and the number of documents D.
  • the message such as "READY FOR COPYING" or "SET DOCUMENT,” is displayed again on the LCD 18e.
  • the key counter 92 is drawn out, all the copying conditions entered for the copying operation are deleted, and the copy inhibiting message, such as "INSERT KEY COUNTER,” is displayed on the LCD 18e. In any situation, the copying machine 2 is kept ready or warmed up.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Control Or Security For Electrophotography (AREA)
EP92104415A 1991-03-29 1992-03-13 Image forming apparatus Expired - Lifetime EP0510347B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP89016/91 1991-03-29
JP3089016A JPH04301659A (ja) 1991-03-29 1991-03-29 画像形成装置

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0510347A2 EP0510347A2 (en) 1992-10-28
EP0510347A3 EP0510347A3 (en) 1993-08-18
EP0510347B1 true EP0510347B1 (en) 1996-08-21

Family

ID=13959112

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP92104415A Expired - Lifetime EP0510347B1 (en) 1991-03-29 1992-03-13 Image forming apparatus

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US5162847A (ja)
EP (1) EP0510347B1 (ja)
JP (1) JPH04301659A (ja)
DE (1) DE69212881T2 (ja)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH11109814A (ja) * 1997-10-03 1999-04-23 Minolta Co Ltd 画像形成装置
JP3675233B2 (ja) * 1999-06-22 2005-07-27 コニカミノルタホールディングス株式会社 画像形成装置
US6278851B1 (en) * 2000-02-18 2001-08-21 Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming and accounting system

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4090787A (en) * 1976-02-25 1978-05-23 International Business Machines Corporation Automatic copier mode controls
US4080062A (en) * 1976-11-24 1978-03-21 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Variable magnification optical mechanism
US4315685A (en) * 1978-08-24 1982-02-16 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus
JPS56144445A (en) * 1980-04-11 1981-11-10 Toshiba Corp Copying machine
JPS56164356A (en) * 1980-05-22 1981-12-17 Nippon Denso Co Ltd Device for managing copying machine
DE3377825D1 (en) * 1982-04-19 1988-09-29 Mita Industrial Co Ltd Card-operated copying machine
GB8305774D0 (en) * 1983-03-02 1983-04-07 Neumann M Controller
JPS6134529A (ja) * 1984-07-27 1986-02-18 Canon Inc フイルム情報読み取り装置
JPS6382490A (ja) * 1986-09-27 1988-04-13 Minolta Camera Co Ltd 画像編集システム
US4821107A (en) * 1987-01-26 1989-04-11 Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha Multi-functional imaging apparatus
JP2823213B2 (ja) * 1988-12-26 1998-11-11 株式会社東芝 画像形成装置

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN : vol. 14, no. 438 (P-1108) 19 September 1990 & JP-A-02 171 766 (TOSHIBA CORP) 3 July 1990 & US-A-5 117 258 (IWATA) 26 May 1992 * column 15, line 33 - column 16, line 44. *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH04301659A (ja) 1992-10-26
DE69212881D1 (de) 1996-09-26
DE69212881T2 (de) 1997-04-03
US5162847A (en) 1992-11-10
EP0510347A2 (en) 1992-10-28
EP0510347A3 (en) 1993-08-18

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5200779A (en) Image forming apparatus with maintenance procedure
JP2511408B2 (ja) 特定給紙容器選択装置
US4693459A (en) Sheet feeding system in recording apparatus
JP3177052B2 (ja) 画像形成装置
EP0510347B1 (en) Image forming apparatus
US5357350A (en) Image forming apparatus
US4763166A (en) Image forming apparatus
US5146272A (en) Image forming apparatus having adjustable speed document scanning means which converts printed image information into an electronic image
JPS6236681A (ja) 画像形成装置
JP2703966B2 (ja) 画像形成装置
JP2000259034A (ja) 画像形成装置
US4953844A (en) Paper supply device with a function of automatically sensing the life of feed rollers
JPS6256501B2 (ja)
JPH04301857A (ja) 画像形成装置
JPH05224478A (ja) 画像形成装置
JP2763120B2 (ja) 画像形成装置
JPH10254309A (ja) 画像形成装置
JPH06274029A (ja) 現像装置
JPH01166065A (ja) 画像形成装置
JPH07239637A (ja) 画像形成装置
JPH0822233A (ja) 画像形成装置
JP2659379B2 (ja) 画像形成装置
JPH10171309A (ja) 画像形成装置
JPH0455268A (ja) 画像形成装置
JPH08254928A (ja) 画像形成装置

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19920313

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): DE FR GB

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): DE FR GB

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19950123

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69212881

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19960926

ET Fr: translation filed
ET Fr: translation filed
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 19991231

Year of fee payment: 9

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20000308

Year of fee payment: 9

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20010313

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20010313

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20020101

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20020312

Year of fee payment: 11

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20031127

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST